Your guide to Florida's outdoors, by Sandra Friend, Florida's hiking expert, and her co-author John Keatley, covering the Florida Trail and other trails throughout Florida.

Oviedo

Established as agricultural community along the shores of Lake Jesup, Oviedo is surrounded by natural lands offering interesting hikes and off-road biking. Add in the Florida Trail, which intersects the heart of historic downtown Oviedo, and public lands that buffer the Econlockhatchee River, and Oviedo can lay claim to easy access to a wide diversity of outdoor recreation, including backpacking trips and paddling trips.

Florida Trail, Mills Creek-As the Florida Trail follows the curve of the basin in which Mills Creek into a bowl of marshlands, enjoy old-growth trees and long boardwalks along this 2 mile hike

Geneva Wilderness Area-Showcasing prairie ponds amid scrub on the edge of a pine flatwoods, Geneva Wilderness Area offers two loops of gentle paths on which to explore the habitats.

Lake Jesup East Tract-The 2.1-mile loop at Lake Jesup Conservation Area leads to an observation tower that provides a sweeping view of one of the Orlando metro's larger lakes.

Lake Jesup Wilderness-A dazzling array of swamp sunflowers await each fall at Lake Jesup Wilderness, an expansive wetland area along the northern shore of Lake Jesup.

Lake Mills Park-One of Seminole County’s prettiest county parks with boardwalks through a cypress swamp, Lake Mills Park makes an excellent family destination.

Lake Proctor Wilderness Area-Protecting 475 acres of marshlands, prairie, and scrub forest, Lake Proctor Wilderness Area is one of the best places near Orlando to see sandhill cranes.

Little-Big Econ Kolokee Loop-A loop hike in Little Big Econ State Forest, the 4.7-mile Kolokee Loop shows off the best facets of the Florida Trail along the Econlockhatchee River.

Little-Big Econ State Forest-One of the most popular destinations for outdoor recreation in the Orlando metro area, Little-Big Econ State Forest protects more than 9,500 acres along the floodplain of the Econlockhatchee River

Orlando Wetlands Park-Covering more than 1,600 acres in the St. Johns River floodplain, Orlando Wetlands Park has more than 8 miles of trails and is the best place in the region for serious birding.

Seminole Ranch – Loughman Lake-At the northern end of Seminole Ranch Conservation Area, an easy-to-follow trail to an observation tower provides a panorama across Loughman Lake.

Seminole Ranch – Puzzle Lake-At the northern end of Seminole Ranch Conservation Area, roam 8.4 miles along the marshy eastern shore of Puzzle Lake, part of the St. Johns River system.

Spring Hammock Preserve-The home of some of Florida's most ancient cypresses, Spring Hammock Preserve in Winter Springs is one of the most delightful places to take a hike in the Orlando area.